A safe neighborhood is one of the most attractive amenities communities can offer potential and current residents. While many communities have taken steps to ensure a safe environment through a variety of methods, one of the most effective tools is the addition of a gate at entrances and exists. Throughout this article, we will be reviewing how the strategic placement of security guards in gated communities can drastically improve the overall safety within a neighborhood.
Unmanned gated communities may seem safe at first glance, but they can just as easily be targeted by criminals regardless. The delay in when the gate opens and closes, while it’s only a few moments, proves to be one of the weakest aspects of unmanned gates. Depending on the size and location of the community, there could easily be hundreds of people trafficking in and out on a daily basis. Heavy influxes of traffic easily allow one car to slip behind another when the homeowner accesses the gate. This unfamiliar car can easily go unnoticed in larger communities, especially presenting a key opportunity for burglars to observe the area.
One of the most effective methods to improve the use of gates is by stationing security either at the gate or nearby. There are three key reasons for this such as improving relations with homeowners, deterring trespassers, and recognizing suspicious activity early.
Improving Relationships with Homeowners
At some point or another, an entry gate to a community has given you issues whether it was your own community or a family member’s that you were visiting. By having a guard posted, they are able to assist with keypad issues reducing the stress for both homeowners and their guests. This could also prove to be especially beneficial for new homeowners and for those who have difficulty recalling codes. That extra bit of assistance goes a long way in establishing positive relationships between homeowners and security cultivating a stronger sense of community.
Deterring Trespassers
In most cases, trespassers will look for locations that are not within line of sight, have little lighting, and lack a consistent presence. Through the addition of security guards in the neighborhood, none of these three can be achieved. While there is not one size that fits all for security measures, two of the most popular choices are stationary and patrol guards. With these two in combination, a large majority of the area can be observed at all times no matter the time. Homeowners can rest assured nothing is skulking about just out of sight. In addition to well-maintained sightlines, security guards are also trained to recognize potential safety concerns. These concerns include proper lighting in areas throughout the property. Security can voice their safety concerns to a supervisor or to the homeowner’s association (HOA). With these two factors in mind, it is easy to see that security guards provide a constant presence on the property. This in turn results in a proactive approach as trespassers will be able to recognize that this neighborhood should be avoided.
Recognizing Suspicious Activity
As guards become familiar with those in the neighborhood and regular traffic patterns, it will become easy for them to recognize an out-of-place vehicle. This is by far one of the biggest benefits of having security guards in gated communities as they are able to take a proactive approach in recognizing suspicious activity. This can potentially save homeowners thousands of dollars in damages whether it be from property damage or the result of a break-in. Security guards are a quick and proficient solution to securing the well-being and overall safety of any neighborhood as they can quickly raise the alert when necessary.